Atlanta Hawks: Still undecided on coach, ASG to try again Friday
Another day passed with no decision by the Hawks on which of three candidates to offer their vacant head coach position. They’ll deliberate again on Friday and hope to reach agreement on extending an offer to Dwane Casey, Larry Drew or Mark Jackson.
Atlanta’s delay in making a decision illustrates the complexities of a process that includes members of the Atlanta Spirit ownership group and GM Rick Sund. A person with knowledge of the process said each candidate has support within the organization, adding that the varying schedules of the decision-makers also has contributed to the delay.
Atlanta parted ways with Mike Woodson after the season. The Hawks, Cavaliers and Clippers are the only teams without a coach after Avery Johnson, once a Hawks candidate, accepted the New Jersey job yesterday.
MC
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234 comments Add your comment
Section 303
June 10th, 2010
11:47 pm
GetwhatUpayfor, never any hard feelings about stuff on here. Just talking about Hawks b-ball, which I actually like to do.
Hoops
June 10th, 2010
11:54 pm
The Hawks need a “Big Splash” with their coaching hire! Casey, Drew, or Jackson will not fire up the Hawks fans or players. Go get Byron Scott, if Doc is not going to be available.
Byron Scott!!!
Dr. Warren
June 11th, 2010
12:04 am
Guys, it’s worth remembering that NO ONE had heard of Mike Smith, but he has done well with the Falcons.
Grandad
June 11th, 2010
12:06 am
Larry Drew player’s choice.
* (they know he’ll be a player’s coach, whatever that is)
Larry Drew owner’s choice.
* (on the cheap)
Dwane Casey RS’ choice.
* (teacher)
Mark Jackson, I reckon he’s somebody’s choice.
* (yankee, carpet bagger, northern oppressor)
Did yawl know Mark Jackson had a rule named after him?
Known as the Mark Jackson rule:
“Notable for prompting an NBA rule change. In response to Jackson’s penchant for backing down opposing point guards in the post for 15 or more seconds at a time, the league instituted the Five-second rule (basketball), sometimes referred to as the “Mark Jackson Rule,” prohibiting an offensive player from dribbling with his back to the basket for more than 5 consecutive seconds when below the free throw line.”
cp
June 11th, 2010
12:12 am
@Grandad, wouldn’t that tend to make Mark effective?
Michael Cunningham
June 11th, 2010
12:13 am
@Joe’s place: “Michael Cunningham please try to interview the owners and gm to subliminaly tell them WE DO NOT WANT CASEY OR DREW!!!! Either Jackson, Scott, or Rivers would fit our team needs much more appropriately. Please help us fans voice to be heard amongst owners! ”
sorry, Joe, afraid i have no sway with the owners. i’m sure they are aware that Avery was the popular choice. the best way for fans to let owners know what they think is with their money.
Michael Cunningham
June 11th, 2010
12:16 am
@ Sec 303: “If you run a buisness based on public opinion, you will run it into the ground. The general public changes their minds like the wind. I would not let their take have any impact on the hire. But this is the ASG we are talking about, so they probably will do just the opposite.”
haha, good one.
Michael Cunningham
June 11th, 2010
12:18 am
@locdog: “I agree Byron Scott should get an interview, but I have a dread fear that I know why he was fired from the Nets and the Hornets after having much success with both. I think he is just an A-hole, who loses his team after a while.”
well, some people say the same thing about Avery . . .
HawkKingBibby
June 11th, 2010
12:18 am
MC I thought you guys at ajc all said that Sund had the owners trust here and that they would go with the coach Sund recommended. What happened? This isnt going to wind up like that JJ trade fiasco is it.
Michael Cunningham
June 11th, 2010
12:19 am
@cp: “The team won 53 games last year and the fans still didn’t come out as they should but people on here think by hiring a certain coach fans will get excited and show up? Get the hell out of here with that logic. I just want them to hire the right guy. I don’t care about a sexy pick or any of that other crap. Get the right guy in here and I’m happy.”
solid . . .
Michael Cunningham
June 11th, 2010
12:22 am
@Granddad: “Did yawl know Mark Jackson had a rule named after him? Known as the Mark Jackson rule”
Iso-Mark?
HawkKingBibby
June 11th, 2010
12:23 am
I thought that rule was named for Charles Barkley?
Michael Cunningham
June 11th, 2010
12:28 am
@HawkKingBibby: “MC I thought you guys at ajc all said that Sund had the owners trust here and that they would go with the coach Sund recommended. What happened?”
well, we didn’t say it. we reported that Gearon said that was the case. Sund himself said he consults with the owners. in the end, it still could end up being Sund’s choice. but i think it’s fair to say that this whole episode shows that ASG has more input into Sund’s choice than they’ve let on.
HawkKingBibby
June 11th, 2010
12:32 am
Yes sir MC, I think Sund is slowly but surely finding out why Billy Knight chose unemployment over a one year deal to work under ASG again.
Michael Cunningham
June 11th, 2010
12:32 am
@HawkKingBibby: “I thought that rule was named for Charles Barkley?”
funny you say that, because it seems most of the references i can find for this “Mark Jackson rule” seem to be come from Jackson’s people himself. and that whole scenario fits with Jackson’s rep for being kind of self-important and grandiose about his own rep.
MsDee
June 11th, 2010
12:33 am
Actually I’m kool with either Casey or Drew getting the HC position but Mark Jackson should DEFINELY be the assistant coach to help with Teague!! I believe fans and the players would still appreciate that coaching staff running the team.
CJDawg
June 11th, 2010
12:34 am
At least ACT like ur gonna interview a white guy….is there a clause in Chocolate City forbidding a white person from being involved? Wait, I ALMOST cared for a minute. I reallllly don’t care about the Hawks. I do appreciate the efforts that JS puts forth most of the time. I am ready to see No Show Joe Go and go soon. Rebuild around JS and Al Horford with a firm coach. JJ is a joke in big games now. I will continue to support the Celts and that is awful for a guy that loves this state.
Ice Berg Slim
June 11th, 2010
12:36 am
Je Je You asked “WHY IS EVERY CANDIDATE BLACK?” I ask “WHY NOT?”
HawkKingBibby
June 11th, 2010
12:43 am
Why is race even an issue here? Stop acting like clowns.
ntrigue
June 11th, 2010
12:55 am
MC,
Why hasn’t Steve Smith been interviewed he’s way better than Mark Jackson?
Masood
June 11th, 2010
1:20 am
Mark Jackson was a great point guard. Great point guards are an extension of their head coach on the floor. That trumps being an assistant coach. In order to be a great point guard, you have to always be aware of time, score, and situation. You also have to command respect and articulate what needs to be done to win — same as a coach. Jackson played under Rick Pitino, Pat Riley, Larry Brown, Lenny Wilkens and Jerry Sloan. He managed the egos of stars like Ewing, Reggie, Stockton and Malone, and hustled with role players like Oakley, Byron Russell and the Davis boys. He’s lead his teams to the Finals. None of the other candidates can say any of those things. Mark Jackson is the next Doc Rivers, and a perfect fit for what the Hawks need.
Joe
June 11th, 2010
1:28 am
I hope it is Mark Jackson, he will bring something new!
ntrigue
June 11th, 2010
1:51 am
Between the 3 left Id prefer taking a gamble on Larry Drew!
Clyde
June 11th, 2010
2:00 am
*yawn*
drmaryb
June 11th, 2010
2:01 am
NEVER HEARD!
I NEVER heard anybody say, “I’m going to buy a ticket to go see Phil Jackson coach.”
The Truth
June 11th, 2010
2:36 am
Among other things, Mark Jackson is also a licensed minister perhaps explain his authoritative voice. He’s also a “street-baller” at heart, which means he should have no problem in communicating with a wide variety of players. Furthermore, if the ASG is looking for a celebrity star, Mark Jackson (and his lovely wife, Desiree Coleman) will be hard to beat. The Truth can’t lie; he would be an intriguing selection, no doubt. However, with him as coach, everything depends on how well he surrounds himself with coaching talent. Regardless of who the Hawks eventual coach will be, our 53 wins (3rd seed) will likely experience a setback at least for while until an adjustment of a new coach is in place.
Grandad
June 11th, 2010
2:42 am
cp:
“@Grandad, wouldn’t that tend to make Mark effective?”
What’s he gonna do teach young Teaguer to back ‘em down?
Like MC said “Iso-Mark”.
How’s that kind of exp. gonna help develop young pt. guards.
Nah – we just got rid of one *jack-leg.
* ’scuse me he’s [M.Jack] a carpetbaggin’ northern oppressor.
My apologies to Mary Ellen.
I read today that you were from the north.(Queens, I believe)
I so happy you escaped.
By the way I had already read your 2:44 PM post today.
It didn’t matter though;
I knew your heart.
That’s why I counseled the young fella.
Grandad
June 11th, 2010
2:44 am
*[I'M] so happy
still can’t type a lick.
Grandad
June 11th, 2010
2:48 am
* I’m – (that’s better) dad-gum capital ‘M’ in my correction.
sam'l
June 11th, 2010
3:10 am
M. Jackson is clueless an an announcer, will be clueless as a coach…..There are other ex-ballplayers who would be better. If Drew had been effective as assistant, Hawks wouldn’t have been so blindsided at every turn……Casey…I don’t know…certainly not a slamdunk success. These are 3 very unappealing options, very limited search…..WHY?
Byron Scott sounds ok to me…….is this just a name being thrown about? .
Hotlanta Hot Sauce
June 11th, 2010
3:54 am
We have been season ticket holders for 3 years. All 3 years we have been calling for Woodson to be canned. Of the 3 candidates that people have said (Casey, Mark Jackson, Drew), I would have to go with Casey. Definitely not Mark Jackson. I say bring Doc back to Atlanta or offer Mark Price the head coaching job. He was a great PG but I don’t know about offering an assistant the job either! I’m just happy it’s not Woody. He was terrible and nobody paid attention to him in the TOs…
truthspitter
June 11th, 2010
4:01 am
Casey is not the guy. He did not maximize his situation as the pro Casey club will assert. You judge a coach by what he did with his role players not star, the same as everyone that hated Woody claimed that it was all iso-Joe, Minny was all Garnet in the words of Casey’s club. Casey is a joke. Fresh blood, shock the world with Mark Jackson or Laimbeer
ken
June 11th, 2010
6:03 am
marc jackson wasnt a great point guard he jus played wit great players n passed because he couldnt do ne thing else good…defense.. F, same 4 shooting
Muhammad Cali
June 11th, 2010
6:17 am
The reason why the Hawks are stalling is because the season isnt over yet. once the season ends , the hawks will then go after doc rivers , mikebrown, and byron scott. mark jackson will be the fourth ” candidate”. The ASG( Atlanta Sucker Group) would be complete idiots if they chose a coach from their current group of candidates. and will someone tell me how the hawks lost to new jersey in the Avery Johnson sweepstakes ??????
Notso Fast
June 11th, 2010
6:25 am
We need not only someone that can not only coach but also give the team some PR with the public. Mark Jackson may be the man. The other two may be just more of what we had.
wcj
June 11th, 2010
6:25 am
As long as these 8,9, 10 or whatever the number whom call themselves owners are involved in this, the hawks will most likely blow it. There are too many chefs in the kitchen for me.
How long....
June 11th, 2010
6:32 am
How long does it take to fire Sundofabytch? The idiot hasnt got a clue! What a foolish move to fire Mike Woodson. Of the three candidates remaining Mike Woodson is a clear UPGRADE!
Idiot Sund!!
How long....
June 11th, 2010
6:35 am
Fire the Con, ing han!!
O'Brien
June 11th, 2010
6:50 am
Melvin,
You gotta love Doc for staying with his bench players late in the 4th qtr in the NBA Finals
Co-sign. He kept Rondo, Pierce, and KG on the bench until less than 4 minutes left in the fourth. Bench plays well, reward them. Although if the bench gave up the lead, Doc would have to deal with the question of why leave your starters on the bench so long. But his move shows trust in all his players.
Watching this game also reinforces that the Hawks were too dependent on one guy (JJ) last year. We need other players to step up for us to be successful, so hopefully players are working to improve their game, and the new coach will give them more responsibility.
MC,
but I think it’s fair to say that this whole episode shows that ASG has more input into Sund’s choice than they’ve let on
Some teams just let the basketball guy make the basketball decision (I don’t recall hearing all those other team owners meeting with potential coaches). But as the owner, I can understand you want to be part of the decision. I just wish they would be able to make the decision already, especially before all these articles come out about how they cant make up their mind.
SWAT Native
June 11th, 2010
7:50 am
I was watching Kenny Smith last night do analysis on NBA TV after the game, and I still say that if you want to hire a TV guy (and a point guard), he’s the guy I would go after. Won two championships, comes out of the Dean Smith program, even played for the Hawks briefly. When you hear him talk, he seems to have much more insight than Mark Jackson (hand down, man down, mama, there goes that man again – please). Kenny interviewed when they hired Woody and I hear he was very impressive, but they wanted someone with coaching experience. If they are still deadlocked after this weekend, I would call Kenny.
wordsmithtom
June 11th, 2010
7:52 am
Big Baby! 18 off the bench….
Watched him during the final game before the playoffs. He was on the floor, into the stands, all over the place. Jackson noted, he’s trying to make a statement about wanting more minutes in the upcoming playoff rotations. A statement was made and heard.
Whomever our new coach, he MUST play the bench, give them burn and push them. Our bench was a laughing stock…a ghost. Replace the bench we have or play them, whichever. Just give the bench burn. We wear out our starters and don’t develop our own “Big Baby”.
Get the new coach in before looking at draft prospects, please. We don’t need Rivers…just someone willing to play the bench and not rely on ISO when running out the clock is not an issue.
dap01
June 11th, 2010
7:53 am
If we are going to only hire from the scrap heap, why not interview Steve Smith. He is very smart, he was a smart player and he knows the team.
Since the Hawks had to start over several years ago, we have made bad decisions at almost every opportunity.
Atlanta Spirit
June 11th, 2010
8:04 am
It all comes down to which one is cheapest. Anyone interested at $7.25/hour?
BIG SWILL
June 11th, 2010
8:09 am
If the HAWKS havent contacted VANGUNDY who ever they get is going to be a step back DUMMMMMMIES!!!
Paddy
June 11th, 2010
8:21 am
what a sad way to operate a franchise. time marches on but nothing changes with the ASG. the hockey commish has had enough of theses guys when will david stern?
John Doe
June 11th, 2010
8:33 am
Steve Smith would be a great coach!
lewis
June 11th, 2010
8:35 am
Kenny the jet is far superior to Mark Jackson.
TNT buy’s the Hawks.
Kenny the Jet named HC.
Charles Barkeley his assistant.
We win at least 10 straight division championships starting 2010-2011, winning it all in 2015!
Just like TBS and the Braves.
Hire Casey already though, this whole ordeal is making our organization look even worse than it already did.
Ramon
June 11th, 2010
8:37 am
Kenny Smith is on record of saying he’s interested in going into someone’s front office, not trying to be a coach but a GM or VP of Basketball Operations.
Right now, I’m truly starting to feel like shopping with my wife in a furniture store. And after saying your opinion for so long, all you can finally say is “Pick out the one you want and hurry up. I’ll be in the car waiting.”
Ramon
June 11th, 2010
8:42 am
Lewis, this isn’t making the organization look weird. New Jersey Nets fired their coach 3-4 weeks before we fired ours, and they just picked their coach 2 days ago.Cleveland and Atlanta are the only teams who were put out of the 2nd round of playoffs and fired their coaches. And both of those teams have yet to officially hire anyone. This doesn’t seem weird. If Sund chooses Drew (which I wouldn’t have a problem with), some of you will say why didn’t he just name Drew the head coach 2 days after firing Woody. Its all about doing a due process. And I really believe Sund took this long because he was told there was a small chance that Rivers could’ve been available. And if the Lakers would’ve beat Boston 4-1,4-0, or 4-2, he may would be right.
SC Smith
June 11th, 2010
8:44 am
I agree Bill Swill, Can’t figure out why Van Gundy was not contacted same as the case for Byron Scott.
Two proven coaches who the players would respect. With the final three they are looking at its like giving the keys to a Porche to a kid with a drivers permit.